Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise endoscopes for viewing inside a cavity of a body such as a vessel like a vein or artery. These endoscopes may include at least one solid state emitter such as a light emitting diode (LED) that is inserted into the body cavity to provide illumination therein. Certain embodiments of the invention comprise disposable endoscopes that can be fabricated relatively inexpensively such that discarding these endoscopses after a single use is cost-effective. The endoscope may comprise a lens holder on a distal end of the endoscope for collection of light reflected from surfaces within the body in which the endoscope is inserted. This lens holder may have an inner cavity through which light passes along an optical path. Reflective surfaces on sidewalls of the inner cavity may direct light along this optical path. The endoscope may further comprise an elongated support structure for supporting a plurality of lenses disposed along the optical path.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for obtaining color endoscopic images with a monochromatic detector. In certain embodiments, such a monochromatic detector can provide beneficial features such as high resolution capability. In certain embodiments, a number of different color light sources can be controlled separately so as to allow sequential illumination of an object with the different color lights. Images obtained from such sequential illumination can be combined to yield a color image. Various configurations and examples for facilitating such a process are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise endoscopes for viewing inside a cavity of a body such as a vessel like a vein or artery. These endoscopes may include a usage detector and a disabling device coupled to the usage detector, wherein the disabling device is configured to disable the endoscope at least partly in response to an electrical, optical, and/or mechanical output from the usage detector.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods involving an endoscope system having a plurality of different illumination sources. Such illumination sources can be controlled to provide various illumination effects. In certain embodiments, illumination sources can be controlled so that resulting outputs can be combined to yield, for example, an intensity profile that approximates a desired source such as a Xenon lamp. In certain embodiments, illumination sources can be activated in sequence so as to allow, for example, use of a monochromatic detector to generate a color image. In certain embodiments, illumination sources can be controlled so as to allow switching between two or more illumination modes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise endoscopes for viewing inside a cavity of a body such as a vessel like a vein or artery. These endoscopes may include at least one solid state emitter such as a light emitting diode (LED) that is inserted into the body cavity to provide illumination therein. Certain embodiments of the invention comprise disposable endoscopes that can be fabricated relatively inexpensively such that discarding these endoscopses after a single use is cost-effective. The endoscope may comprise a lens holder on a distal end of the endoscope for collection of light reflected from surfaces within the body in which the endoscope is inserted. This lens holder may have an inner cavity through which light passes along an optical path. Reflective surfaces on sidewalls of the inner cavity may direct light along this optical path. The endoscope may further comprise an elongated support structure for supporting a plurality of lenses disposed along the optical path.